The Sixteen Kingdoms of the Eastern Jin Dynasty: The Competition in the Central Plains

Wen Qiao, the concubine of the crown prince, came to the front, knelt down and saluted and said:"Your Majesty, I have also gone to the court before to state the affairs of Liu Kun, the former Sikong, and hope that your Majesty will vindicate him. The reason why I came to the table to plead for mercy is not because Liu Kun is Chen's uncle. After his uncle was killed, his aunt Liu Qun, brothers-in-law Cui Yue, Lu Chen, etc. had to temporarily rely on Duan Mobo. My uncle fought against Shi Le for nearly ten years and was loyal to the Jin Dynasty until his death. Now that the family has been destroyed, you should be praised. Shirt. Although Liu Qun and others are in Duanbu, they always look southward, eager to return to Jiangzuo and serve our court. I hope your majesty will think deeply about it!"

Sima Rui thought for a long time and said to Director Wang:"Master Maohong, draft an edict for me."

"I obey the decree! Director Wang saluted and said, and a guard brought an inkstone, a writing brush, etc.

Sima Rui continued,"The late Liu Kun, the former Taiwei and Marquis of Guangwu, was loyal and steadfast. He assisted the court, helped the people, and was devoted to the royal family. Unfortunately, he died and his ambition failed. I Very sad. In the past, during the war, it was not possible to carry out funeral rites. Now that the matter in Youzhou is over, he still pays homage to him. Liu Kun was given the title of Shizhong and Taiwei, and his posthumous title was 'Min'.’"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your thoughtfulness! Long live our emperor! Long live!"Wen Qiao cried with joy, wiped his tears and knelt down and said. Wen Qiao's forehead had already reached the ground of Tai Chi Hall. All the civil and military ministers also knelt down and shouted:"My emperor is wise! Long live! Long live! Duan

Ya and his two followers also looked happy and knelt down to express their gratitude:"Thank you, Your Majesty!""

Looking at Duan Ya who stood up, Sima Rui said:"Please come and rest in the post house!"

Two guards led Duan Ya and two followers down.

Since Duan Pixian, Duan Wenyang, Shao Ji, Shao Zhu They were escorted to the State of Xiang. Because they were all granted official positions by Shi Le, they were relatively free to move around. Sometimes the four of them were together, sometimes the brothers Duan Pizhen and sometimes Shao Ji and Shao Zhu came to visit Shao Xu. This One day, four people came to visit Shao Xu again. Shao Xu made some side dishes and the five of them drank together in the small room of the post house. At first, no one spoke to each other. They were either eating vegetables, drinking, or... Pour your own drink. In order to lighten the atmosphere, Shao Xu said:"I have been here in Xiangguo for more than half a year, and you have been here for a month or two. Recall that we worked together to fight against Shi Le in Bingzhou, and later resisted Shi Hu in Fuping. Although they all failed in the end, those soul-stirring and difficult years will always be unforgettable memories. Duan

Wenyang looked at Duan Pixi, and then said:"Although Shi Le treats adults well, he also treats our brothers well." But people have faces, trees have bark, and to tell the truth, we brothers don’t want to live this kind of life of relying on others and acting based on other people’s faces."

After listening to Duan Wenyang's words, Duan Pixi nodded and said:"During those days of defending Fuping, although we were short of food and clothing, we were frightened, lest the enemy break the city. But such days are fulfilling and my heart is at ease. As soon as I saw those strange looks in Zhao Guo's court, I gritted my teeth with hatred. If we can contact some people with lofty ideals in Xiang State, break out of the prison of Zhao State, and go to the south of the Yangtze River to join His Majesty, then I will have no regrets in this life!"

"Mr. Duan, please note that the walls have ears!"Shao Xu reminded in a low voice. Shao Ji said:"Since we came here with Master Duan and uncle, we rarely see him. Apart from occasionally seeing him in the court, my uncle rarely comes to his father's place, right?"

Shao Xu was speechless, Duan Pixi said:"This brother of your Lord, what can I say? When Fuping was about to fall, he not only couldn't wait to surrender to Shi Le, but also took His Majesty's envoy to surrender together. Such a person is so shameless!"

"Come, come, let’s pick up food and drink!"Shao Xu said as he began to pick up the food. No one spoke anymore. People were eating food, drinking, and clinking glasses.

In the study, Shi Le said to Zhang Bin:"Youhou, you must seize the time and supervise the generals in charge. , first complete the construction of Jiande Hall. In this way, all civil and military officials will have a suitable place to go to court. In order to strengthen the defense of Xiangguo City, the thickness of the outer city wall must reach six feet. Even if you lead two cows up to the city wall and let the cows lie down on the wall, they can't let the cows fall down. The water from Dahuo Spring should be brought into the city to facilitate drinking by soldiers and civilians. It is estimated that it will take more than ten years to complete the construction of other palaces and rooms in Jiande Palace."

"King Zhao is a thousand years old. Since the city wall of Xiangguo can be used to sleep on cows, why not call Xiangguo the city of Wanniu?"Zhang Bin smiled. Shi Le nodded and said:"This is a good nickname, Wo Niu City!"

"What palaces and palaces are there in Jiande Palace?"Shi Le asked. Zhang Bin smiled and said:"According to the future needs of our Zhao State and the Chaotang, as well as the Zhao family, they mainly include Zhengyang Gate, Duanmen, Jiande Hall, and Jiande Back Hall. There are also Zhengwen Hall, Shan Yuting, Chan Yutai, East Hall and West Pavilion. Houliu Palace, Baichi Tower, Chongxun Palace, Sheji Altar, ancestral temple, pot-pulling office, ice storage room and other major buildings. The four gates of Jiande Palace are Zhengyang Gate in the south, Yongchang Gate in the east, Yongfeng Gate in the west, and Yongfeng Gate in the west. To the north is the stop door. In addition to an Imperial College in Xiangguo City, more than ten primary schools including Xuanwen, Xuanjiao, Chongru and Chongjiao were to be built. There are also Mingtang, Piyong and Lingtai in the west of Xiangguo City. Mulberry Garden and Jitian will also be set up to allow officials' children to learn mulberry farming from an early age."

"In addition to these necessary palaces and palaces, a floating palace must also be built in the suburbs of Xiangguo. As for the name of Li Palace, please consider it."Shi Le said. Zhang Bin thought for a while and said:"Since it is a palace on the water, let's call it Lishui Palace!"

"Okay, let’s call it Lishui Palace! Shi Le said with a smile.

At this moment, a guard ran over in a panic. When he came to the study, the guard knelt down and saluted Shi Le and said:"I see you, Your Majesty, little man!""

"What's matter? Shi Le asked. The guard said:"The two brothers responsible for guarding Shao Xu found that people often come in and out of the post house these days and have secret conversations with Shao Xu.""

"commune? Is there any evidence?"Shi Le felt strange and asked. The guard said:"Since Duan Pizhen and others came, the post house has become a place for them to communicate. Sometimes they meet on the street, and our people keep following them. These people elected Shao Xu and Duan Pixi as their leaders, and also contacted some Xianbei and Han people in Xiang State to prepare to cause trouble."

"that's it? These people used to have a good relationship together, but now they see each other often, and it's no big deal. However, if you really want to rebel, you can't take it seriously. You go and report these situations to Zhongshan Gong. He is still in Xiangguo and let him watch and deal with it."After Shi Le finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Bin. Zhang Bin nodded, and the guard went to find Shi Hu.